This is a Provisional monograph.

In 1924, Rochaix used the characteristic of aesculin hydrolysis in the identification of enterococci; later, Meyer and Schonfield (1926) incorporated bile into the medium as a selective agent for their isolation. Swan (1954) used 40% bile salt and aesculin hydrolysis to demonstrate that isolation of characteristic colonies on the medium correlated with Lancefield Group D antigen. In practice, this medium is recommended as an alternative to kanamycin aesculin azide agar for the rapid confirmation of enterococci isolated on M-Enterococcus agar (Anon., 2006).

Dissolve the ingredients in the water and adjust the solution to a pH value of 7.1±0.2. Sterilise at 121°C for 15 min. The final pH should be 7.1±0.2.